“I didn’t want to play this sport anymore because…”: Rohit Sharma on thoughts of quitting cricket after 2023 World Cup final

Former India captain Rohit Sharma has candidly spoken about the emotional aftermath of India’s crushing defeat to Australia in the final of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, revealing that the loss left him mentally drained and questioning his future in the sport.

Speaking at a Masters’ Union event, Rohit admitted that the disappointment from the final lingered far longer than expected, describing it as one of the most difficult phases of his cricketing life.

Rohit reveals depth of personal devastation

Opening up about his state of mind after the final, Rohit shared that the emotional impact was overwhelming.

“After the 2023 World Cup final, I was completely distraught and felt like I didn’t want to play this sport anymore because it had taken everything out of me,” he said. “I felt I had nothing left.”

Rohit explained that the sense of emptiness did not fade overnight. He needed time away from the emotional high of the tournament to reconnect with his love for cricket, reminding himself why he started playing the game in the first place.

Slowly, through reflection and self-motivation, he began to rediscover his energy and drive. “I kept telling myself that this is something I truly love, and I couldn’t let it go so easily,” he added.

One loss that stunned the host nation

India’s campaign in the 2023 ODI World Cup had been nothing short of dominant. Under Rohit’s leadership, the team won every match leading into the final, producing one of the most consistent tournament runs in World Cup history.

However, the final in Ahmedabad unfolded in heartbreaking fashion. Despite Australia losing three early wickets, India were outplayed as the visitors chased down the target comfortably, sealing a six-wicket victory. The defeat stunned fans across the country, turning a month of celebration into collective disbelief.

“Everybody was extremely disappointed,” Rohit said. “We just couldn’t believe what had happened.”

World Cup dream consumed Rohit’s leadership tenure

Rohit acknowledged that the loss hurt deeply because the World Cup had been his singular focus since taking over the captaincy in 2022. Whether it was the T20 World Cup or the ODI World Cup, his goal was clear – to lift a global trophy for India.

“I had put everything into that World Cup, not just in the months before it but ever since I became captain,” he said. “When it didn’t happen, I was completely devastated. There was no energy left in my body.”

The former opener admitted it took a couple of months to mentally recover, regain motivation and feel ready to step back onto the field with purpose.

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India bounce back under Rohit’s leadership with T20 World Cup 2024 triumph

Rohit’s story, however, did not end in despair. India responded to the 2023 heartbreak with resilience, going on to win the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 under his captaincy.

The title triumph served as redemption – not just for the team, but for Rohit personally. It validated his perseverance through doubt and emotional exhaustion, reinforcing his belief in persistence and long-term vision.

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